CALICO ROCK — Grant Matthew Hardin, an Arkansas prison escapee with a violent criminal history, was captured Friday afternoon roughly 1.5 miles north-northwest of the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, authorities confirmed.

The Izard County Sheriff’s Office reported that Hardin’s identity was verified through fingerprint analysis before releasing the information to the public.

Hardin, 56, escaped from the Arkansas Department of Corrections facility on May 25, prompting a statewide manhunt involving local, state, and federal agencies. He was previously serving a 30-year sentence for the 2017 murder of James Appleton in Benton County. In 2019, he received an additional 50-year sentence after DNA evidence linked him to a 1997 rape case in Rogers.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections, along with the Izard County Sheriff’s Office, coordinated the effort to locate and apprehend Hardin. No further details were immediately available regarding the circumstances of his capture or whether any additional charges will be filed in connection to his escape.

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In a brief statement, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office said, “We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the community for all law enforcement and Department of Corrections personnel involved in this operation.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

VAN BUREN — A tornado touched down just before 8:00 a.m. Friday morning, causing significant damage as it moved through parts of western Arkansas. The tornado originated on the north side of Fort Smith and tracked into the Van Buren Industrial Park, then moved east of the Eastgate Plaza Shopping Center before continuing into the Alma area.

Officials report that at least 45 structures were damaged, with homes and an apartment complex among those affected. The most severe damage was reported near the 19th Street and Mulberry Circle area of Van Buren. Several homes lost roofs, walls were torn away, and debris was scattered across multiple neighborhoods. A gas leak was also reported following the storm, prompting emergency response.

Residents described a brief but violent storm, with heavy rain and wind gusts strong enough to uproot trees and damage vehicles. Fortunately, there were no reports of serious injuries as of Friday morning.

In addition to the tornado that moved through Van Buren, another tornado was reported by storm spotters north of Interstate 40 near the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line. Authorities continue to assess the damage across the region as more reports come in.

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The National Weather Service had issued tornado warnings for several counties in the area prior to the storm’s arrival. Emergency officials are urging residents to remain alert, as more severe weather is possible over the weekend.

Cleanup efforts are underway, and local authorities are coordinating with utility crews and emergency services to restore power and secure damaged areas.

MORRISON BLUFF — A high-speed crash on the Morrison Bluff Bridge late Friday night claimed the lives of two people and led to manslaughter charges against both a teenage driver and an adult who allegedly furnished him the vehicle, according to KARV Radio in Russellville.

Arkansas State Police say the collision happened around 11:15 p.m. on May 30 along State Highway 109 in Logan County. Investigators determined that a 16-year-old boy from Scranton was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro southbound at speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour when he rear-ended a Toyota RAV4.

The impact forced the RAV4 into the northbound lane, where it was struck head-on by a semi-truck. The driver of the RAV4, 20-year-old Mackenzie Arthur of Scranton, and her 17-year-old female passenger were both killed in the crash.

The juvenile driver of the Camaro has been charged with two counts of manslaughter and is being held at the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center.

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State police also charged Martha Jane Phillips, 71, of Scranton, with two counts of manslaughter for allegedly providing the Camaro to the teenager, who did not have a driver’s license. She was booked into the Logan County Detention Center.

The crash remains under investigation by Arkansas State Police.

PHOTO: Today’s THV

LITTLE ROCK  — Longtime THV11 meteorologist Ed Buckner, a familiar and trusted face to Arkansans for nearly 25 years, has died at the age of 59 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Buckner, born June 17, 1965, in Houston, Texas, joined the THV11 weather team in 1996 and quickly became a pillar of the station’s severe weather coverage. Known for his calm demeanor and deep knowledge, Buckner served as chief meteorologist for much of his time at the station, earning the trust and admiration of viewers across the state.

One of his most memorable moments came during the January 21, 1999, tornado outbreak, when Buckner and the THV11 team covered 56 tornadoes across Arkansas, including a devastating F3 that struck Little Rock. His steady presence during that crisis was later featured in the Tornado Alley Theater exhibit at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, where visitors could experience a seven-minute recreation of the harrowing day, anchored by footage of Buckner’s live coverage.

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“He was truly Arkansas’s Weatherman,” said longtime colleague Tom Brannon. “He had this calm urgency when tracking severe weather and I know fellow Arkansans felt safe and comfortable with him leading the way. He will be missed.”

Fellow THV11 veteran Craig O’Neill described Buckner as a man of integrity and compassion. “There’s a word that sums up his career, his life, his legacy: trust,” O’Neill said. “Our trust in Ed never wavered and is why our memory will never die.”

Outside the newsroom, Buckner shared his love for music with the same enthusiasm he brought to meteorology. In 2001, he released an album titled Weather Songs for Kids, featuring educational tracks like “Puffy the Cumulus Cloud” and “Roy G. Biv.”

In early 2020, Buckner stepped away from broadcasting due to complications related to Tourette Syndrome, a condition he had lived with since adolescence but wasn’t officially diagnosed with until his 30s. Despite the personal challenges, his commitment to public safety never wavered.

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Buckner is survived by his wife, Carolyn Buckner, his children Brooke Buckner, Morgan Buckner, Grant Lewis, Kristan Hendricks, and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Ashton Eakin, who also passed away from cancer in 2019.

Those who knew him best say Ed Buckner will be remembered not just for his meteorological talent, but for the kindness, humor, and trust he brought to every forecast.

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — A 61-year-old man from Hot Springs Village was killed Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on West Glazypeau Road, according to a preliminary report from the Arkansas State Police.

Randell Weaver was driving a 2005 Hyundai westbound on Glazypeau Road around 2:05 p.m. when his vehicle left the roadway to the left, struck a ditch, and overturned. After overturning, the vehicle hit a gate and then a power pole before coming to a stop.

Weaver, who was the only occupant in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Weather conditions were clear and the roadway was dry at the time of the crash. The incident is being investigated by Trooper Mason Robinson of the Arkansas State Police.

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Weaver’s body is being held at the Garland County Coroner’s Office. Next of kin has been notified.